Phil Mickelson will now feature at Torrey Pines and the US Open after accepting a special exemption from the USGA.
Phil Mickelson Accepts Special Exemption Into US Open
At the time, the five-time Major champion said: “I just don’t know the answer to that right now. I’m scheduled to go through qualifying the day after the Memorial.”
To qualify, Mickelson would have to be inside the top 60 in the world on either the 27th May or 7th June; or through sectional qualifying or an exemption.
Related: 13 Year Old Advances Through To US Open Final Qualifying
However, the 50-year-old will now get another shot at the career Grand Slam after accepting a special exemption from the USGA to play at Torrey Pines in his hometown of San Diego.
Mickelson’s nearest win at the US Open came in 2006, where he double bogeyed the last to miss out on a playoff with Geoff Ogilvy. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/WireImage)
Mickelson, who has finished runner-up at the event six times, said: “If I had not made it through qualifying, it would have been difficult not to be a part of the US Open on a course I spent so much time playing as a kid,
“Winning the US Open has been a lifelong and elusive dream, and I’ve come close so many times.
“You can’t win if you don’t play. I’m honoured and appreciative of the USGA for the opportunity and look forward to playing in my hometown on a golf course I grew up on.”
The American will be the sixth player to receive a special exemption into the US Open since 2010. Tom Watson and Vijay Singh both received one that year, with Retief Goosen (2016), Jim Furyk (2018), and Ernie Els (twice, in 2018 and 2019) all receiving one.
@PhilMickelson has received a special exemption into the 121st #USOpen, which will be played June 17-20 at @GolfTorrey in San Diego, Calif.
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) May 14, 2021
USGA CEO, Mike Davis, added: “Phil Mickelson’s incredible USGA playing record and overall career achievements are among the most noteworthy in the game’s history. We are thrilled to welcome him to this year’s US Open at Torrey Pines.”
With the acceptance of the exemption, Mickelson will be looking to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods in becoming just the sixth player in history to complete the career Grand Slam.
Related: Which Players Have Won A Golf Grand Slam?
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